# 100
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There are still more than three weeks left until the academy's graduation ceremony.
However, she clearly heard that the Archduke, his wife, and Bianca, who was in charge of the escort, had left the Grand Duchy of Apelos early.
Bianca replied the last time she said there would be a surprise, and I think it was this visit.
"Ah! Leah."
“I came to pick up Miss.”
At that time, when she came, the maids who were cleaning the way quickly moved away.
I felt a little strange when I saw him stop talking and straighten up immediately.
In the past, my relationship with the servants was not friendly, but now I feel more distant than before.
'. …Do you think that's strangely polite, like you're treating your boss?'
I'm not sure, but I think the way they looked when the Duchess collapsed this time had an effect.
There was also a rumor that I had discovered the antidote “Splicia”, which was the basis of the antidote that saved the Duchess’s life, in the Duke’s castle.
However, I knew that my position in the palace was a bit more ambiguous than it had been when I was just a maid serving Diana.
First of all, thinking about what happened in the Duke’s office not long ago….
〈This is a report from the places I have requested investment, other places are said to be thriving as well, but in particular, large amounts of high-quality rubies are pouring out of abandoned mines〉
I thought there would be no more surprises now. The Duke added quietly and laughed.
Thinking it would be a shame to be surprised when this was just the beginning of success, I looked at the earnings report he handed me and nodded calmly.
Although it was only a portion of the profits I would make in the future, it was a very large amount.
It's so much money that you can't imagine that a normal nine-year-old would have it in his hands.
That wasn't all.
〈After consulting with Viscountess Bardot, I have placed the portion of the antidote recipe you gave me in your locker.〉
After checking the balance of the treasury that the Duke had given me while he was speaking nonchalantly, I stared at the endless feast of numbers.
The Duke saw this and sighed lightly.
〈Well, considering its value, it should be an extremely small amount of money. However, the Viscountess said that although successful cultivation is the priority, since there is a recipe, the antidote must be made quickly. Your share of the antidote profits has increased greatly, so don't be too disappointed.〉
I'm so sad!
On the contrary, it was so exaggerated that it seemed exhausting, but the Duke continued to speak without noticing my feelings at all.
〈So, if it's for money, work as a maid. …You can quit at any time.〉
The Duke's intentions seemed complicated when he said those words.
He used to resent my work as a maid.
However, he seemed very worried about me, perhaps because he had already refused to take care of me so badly.
Diana might be worried about what would happen if I decided to quit my job and leave the palace.
〈Treat the place like your home.〉
While I was remembering what happened with the Duke, I suddenly remembered what Lucio had told me.
Without realizing it, I shook my head.
'There is no possible way for something like this...'
No matter how good a relationship you have, you are outsiders, and if you quit your job, there is no reason to stay here.
If Lucio came back right away, he would have to avoid staying comfortably in the main library like he was doing now.
As successor, there will be a lot of work to be done after taking over, and Daryl's work will have to be taken care of, but we can't invade his place.
'Let's think slowly, I was planning to become independent anyway.'
Since I am young, the Duchy will not try to send me right away.
However, it soon became known to those around me that I had acquired a fortune, so I could not continue to be a maid as I was now.
'We must prepare our defenses in advance.'
I've thought about it before, but there might be someone who might approach a kid who suddenly became rich.
When I arrived in front of Diana's room, I thought it necessary to hammer in a nail to prevent the uess dreams from beginning.
Suddenly, the door opened and I saw Diana rushing out, followed by a teacher with a blank look on her face.
“Noona, let's go!”
I bowed to the teacher on behalf of the child who was holding my hand, then moved away and said:
“Miss, I think you are in a good mood today.”
"Hah! Aoba, coming!"
When I saw Diana's flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes for the first time in a long time, I felt relieved, too.
A month ago, the Duke and Duchess of Berund and Aiden left for the Dampa Kingdom.
Although she would return after a few months, Diana, who was not yet used to being separated, was very disappointed because her friend who visited her every day suddenly disappeared.
‘Furthermore, Allen….’
Instead of Lucio returning, this time Allen leaves for the academy.
Unlike Lucio, I couldn't imagine how devastating the loss would be if Allen, who had played with her and cared for her since she was born, was gone.
So, I was worried that Diana seemed too depressed these days, but I was happy to see that she was excited about Lucio's arrival today.
“I love Shiny Oppa!”
". … Yes?"
“The sparkling oppa who looks like Noona said he would come to my house today! Right?”
At that time Diana asked me, her eyes shining.
Is it possible that the older brother I mentioned earlier….
“Ahaha, yes that’s right, Young Archduke, please come too.”
I stopped laughing.
* * *
From a distance, I saw a carriage heading towards the main gate of the palace.
In front of the main building, the Duchess and Allen, who were difficult to see these days because they were focusing on training, were already there.
Without having time to pretend, I quickly made Diana stand next to Allen, and also stood behind her.
The door of the parked carriage opened, revealing a beautiful boy whose eyes seemed to have been opened.
'Somehow, your beauty seems to shine brighter than the last time I saw you.'
Just in time, the wind blew, causing the sun-like golden hair to flutter.
As I stared blankly at the slightly longer bangs moving back along my head, I quickly made contact with the beautiful eyes beneath my forehead.
At the same time, Ascarte's eyes widened nicely.
“Young Archduke, welcome.”
“Hello, Duchess.”
While Ascarti received the Duchess, Lucio also got out of the carriage.
When I turned my head, pretending not to notice, I saw Ascarte handing the bouquet of yellow sunflowers he was holding in his arms to the Duchess.
“Thank you for inviting me to lunch.”
“Oh my God, you can just come...”
“I can't just come to see the lady.”
I felt the maids standing a little away becoming agitated as she spoke with a smile like a spring breeze.
Not only was Ascart's good looks limited to his appearance, he seemed surprised by his gentle and affectionate appearance, which was not usually seen in the cold duke's men.
At that time, Diana said: Me?! She raised her hand.
Askart smiled and presented another bouquet of flowers.
This time it was lily of the valley.
"amazing !"
I couldn't help but laugh as I watched Diana jump up and down with joy after receiving the bouquet.
Although Allen who was next to him said: “Brother, you are a playboy!” nag.
then.
"Hello."
Askart turned his head and greeted me.
For some reason, my heart felt tight when I looked into the eyes filled with warmth.
“Here, it's yours.”
“Yes...yes?”
While I missed the right time to say hello, Askart gave me a bouquet of flowers as well.
Suddenly she received the bouquet and muttered absentmindedly.
“Pink roses?”
“Hey, you're so beautiful!”
When Diana saw me holding the bouquet, she spoke with an expression of ecstasy on her face, but then covered her mouth in surprise.
As he looked at me wondering if I had broken my promise to keep it a secret, I patted him on the head and told Askart it was okay.
“Thank you very much, Young Archduke, this is the first time I have received that flower gift.”
Who would give a bouquet of flowers to a nine-year-old orphan?
It was a special feeling because it was the first time I received flowers from someone, not only in this life but also in my past life.
“Kyo, kioh.”
At this time, the Duchess suddenly cleared her throat and turned to attention.
“Young Archduke, the Marquis’ residence has been empty for a long time, wouldn’t it be inappropriate to stay there now? If you want, you can stay in the palace while it is repaired.”
“Yes? There are two separate occupants in the palace, so there is no need to worry, thank you for your concern.”
“Hmm...”
The Duchess smiled awkwardly at Ascart's polite words.
As soon as the Duchess finished speaking, Ascarte looked at me again.
“I didn't know what flowers you liked, so I chose the one I liked. Did you like that?”
I quickly nodded to the somewhat nervous voice.
“I like it very much, I also didn't know what flowers I like, but from now on I will say that I like pink roses.”
When I answered sheepishly, Ascarte's eyes widened for a moment and then she bowed gently.
“Okay? So, would you like to visit the Marquis de Diabelle’s palace? There is a greenhouse in the Marquis’ house where pink roses bloom all year round.”
When I looked at him in surprise at the unexpected words, he added hurriedly.
“It's not far from Elad Palace, it's right in front of the house.”
It was a fact I knew too.
His mother's house, the Palace of the Marquis de Diabelle, where Ascarte was planning to stay until the graduation ceremony, was located across from the Palace of Elade.
“Of course, the size of the palace is large enough to call it the front house, so the distance is quite long.”
Now that I think about it, I always wondered where the relationship between Archduke Belus and Duke Elade began, and I recently discovered it.
The Duke and Archduke appear to have been childhood friends.